Critics point to several issues surrounding the Alicante Book Fair: limited expansion, a still relatively unknown footprint, varying dates year after year, and a crowd that seems drawn more by a handful of bookstores than by a broad festival atmosphere. Edition 53, held in Seneca Square and the Seneca space, left many participants without clear wins or losses. The Ministry of Culture, however, reports about 11,000 attendees between May 5 and May 14, though no official data has been published yet. (Source: Ministry of Culture)
“This is a participation disaster,” said one veteran publisher after the Alicante fair, noting that on some days only a few dozen books changed hands while 45 authors were present. The fair’s logistics were criticized as well: several booths remained underutilized, with bookstores unable to purchase inventory and publishers struggling to recoup costs. The critique, voiced by ECU-17 Musas after the event, highlighted a lineup that included four bookstores (Llibres Chus, Cilsa, Casa del Libro, Pinazo bookstore in Valencia), four publishers (ECU, Cartem, Sagartana, Bukmeran), a self-publishing distributor, and institutional stands from the Gil-Albert Institute, the University of Alicante, the Institut d’Estudis Catalans, and the Ministry of Defence. (Attribution: local organizers)
Pinazo, a Valencia bookseller, already signaled that this year’s edition would be their last. “This year has been very disappointing, because no one was there on weekdays and only a handful visit on weekends. The Alicante fair is slipping, and the number of bookstores is shrinking. We sold half of last year’s volume and came here to avoid losses,” he said. Eva Aguilar added that beyond the stand price of around 650 euros, travel and lodging for guests from abroad add up, making participation seem unprofitable. Pinazo participates in around thirty fairs yearly and notes that many booths are free or cheaply priced, yet the returns depend on the event, not the size. “We won’t be back next year,” Aguilar concluded, stressing that organization often outweighs fair size, and that location and the distance between cabins reduce activity to indoor-only events. Promised changes never materialize.
Cartem publishing house, bringing art books and works from Salamanca, also plans not to return. “This is our first year here, but next year we simply see too few people. Monday through Thursday are quiet, with a weekend uptick that remains small,” noted a representative. Luis Sanchez added that the venue feels hidden and a major book fair should attract large crowds. Even the official numbers feel insufficient to justify attending when the experience fails to deliver.
Llibres Chus from Sant Joan d’Alacant is one of the few Spanish stores to participate in eight editions annually. The owner, Sevahe, described the fair as stagnant and overly shadowed by the setup. He loves the location and has participated since 2019, but argues that more bookstores are essential and needs practical support for exhibitors, especially those traveling from abroad. He laments the lack of outdoor activity and questions the value of ten days, suggesting that four or five would suffice. The fair’s perceived openness and accessibility for bookstores remain a central concern.
Some participants stress that the Alicante fair needs a stronger strategy for visibility and impact. Cartem and similar outfits emphasize the need for a more welcoming arrangement that links booths, enhances the overall experience, and ensures that attendees can discover offerings beyond a single aisle. The broader sentiment is that a fair should be a magnet for readers and booksellers alike, not a small cluster that locals know but outsiders struggle to access.
Dates that come and go
Lliris Picó, associated with the Institute of Catalan Studies, agrees that the fair runs too long. Ten days inflate costs, especially if staff must be paid. The absence of fixed dates complicates planning; a fair held in April, May, June, and even July lacks a stable reference point. She notes that some years have sold well for certain titles because the fair functions as Valencia’s sole book market, yet the organization’s approach has left this potential largely untapped. Picó regrets the neglect of events in Valencia and mentions that only two stand-by presentations occurred this year, while questions linger about the kind of literary products being offered. (Source: institutional observer)
For Bukmeran, their first Alicante fair was a learning curve. The self-publishing distributor runs two bookstores in Elche, and the attendance data was hard to gauge. They observed a quieter influx compared with the Elche event and fear financial losses. Alejandro, a representative, felt the fair resembles Seneca Space more than a compelling literary showcase.
Manresa: “There are always aspects that can be improved”
Antonio Manresa, a member of the Council for Culture, acknowledges ongoing opportunities for improvement. With provisional figures suggesting 11,000 attendees, he notes that more can always be done but emphasizes that the fair remains open to all. When asked about the shortage of bookstores, he admits it is unclear why this happens and hopes future leadership will persuade more booksellers to participate. The mayor also concedes that stands should receive greater subsidies, potentially including commerce, while highlighting a previous 60% subsidy in 2021, which faced protests. The debate over the fair’s duration continues: ten days may be excessive, and five could be more practical, a decision to be made by the booksellers and publishers involved, as agreed in meetings. The organizers say they will support whatever the industry chooses and they never said no.
It’s notable that the Alicante Book Fair has received 28,919 euros in public support over the last three years. The Malaga company Macyre won the first year in 2021 amid some controversy for lacking local Alicante writers, but the award was extended in 2022 and may be renewed in 2024 as the sole participant to win under that scheme. (Source: city council notes)